How to Set Up A Fundraising Campaign: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted by Jordan Morris on 15 November 2024

Whether you’re hosting a charity gala where guests can bid on exclusive auction items, organizing a golf tournament with supporters participating from afar, or running a spontaneous online campaign to respond to a season of giving—or, god forbid, a disaster—there are plenty of reasons to need a simple online platform to support your efforts.

With the right tools, this is easy and effective. From silent auctions and ticket sales to customizable donation options, you can create an engaging experience for both in-person and virtual supporters. This guide will walk you through each step, helping you bring your fundraising vision to life—whether it’s for a glamorous gala, a community golf day, or an impromptu seasonal appeal. Dive in and make your next campaign one to remember!

Step 1: Create Your Platform Account

Whether you use the Givergy platform or not, you will need an account with a fundraising partner to effectively create your online fundraising campaigns. In our example, any fundraiser would need to create a Givergy account. A straightforward process done by signing up through our website.

Once registered, you’ll be able to log in to your account and access your campaign dashboard. Here, you’ll manage every aspect of your fundraising campaign—from adding auction items to setting donation goals.

Step 2: Setting Up a New Campaign

The Givergy platform has been designed for ease of use and its intuition makes creating campaigns a job to look forward to rather than fear. To create a new campaign simply go to the main dashboard and click on “Add New Campaign.” A setup window will appear, prompting you to enter your campaign’s essential details:

Campaign Name: Choose a clear, engaging title. The name of your campaign is often the first thing people see, so step outside the box and be creative – even from the beginning.

Campaign Dates: Set start and end dates for your campaign.

Event Type: Select whether your campaign will be “online only” or “in-person and online” to accommodate both virtual and physical fundraising events.

Click “All Good, Continue” to proceed to the next setup stage.

Step 3: Select Campaign Features

With your campaign basics set, it’s time to explore the true beauty of your online platform. Now you can decide on the features that will bring your fundraising campaign to life. Givergy, offer a range of options to suit different types of fundraising efforts. Select the features that best align with your goals, whether it’s engaging supporters through an exciting silent auction, offering flexible donation options, or selling tickets for an upcoming event. If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are also customized event displays to choose from.

Here are some feature options to consider:

Silent Auction: Perfect for adding an interactive element. Include donated items or unique experiences that can drive excitement and competitive bidding.

Donations: Enable a simple “donate now” option for supporters who want to contribute directly, with options for recurring donations or custom amounts.

Ticketing: If you’re running a gala, golf day, or other event, set up ticketing so attendees can reserve their spots with ease. You can offer various tiers—such as general admission, VIP, or sponsor packages—to suit different levels of support.

Select your features and click “Save” to lock in your choices. You’re now one step closer to launching a dynamic, engaging campaign!

Step 4: Work Through Your Pre-Launch Checklist

With your campaign page set up, it’s time to work through the platform’s pre-launch checklist to ensure everything is in place for a smooth and successful campaign. The checklist provides a clear roadmap of final tasks and includes access to help guides from the Givergy community, offering step-by-step instructions and tips from experienced fundraisers. This ensures you have full support as you prepare to go live.

Here are some essential items covered in the checklist:

Preview and Customize Your Campaign Page: Make sure your layout, images, and messaging are polished and inviting. A well-designed page that effectively tells your story will engage supporters and build trust.

Set Up Payment Processing: Confirm that your payment gateway (e.g., Stripe) is fully configured, allowing for secure and seamless processing of donations, ticket purchases, and auction bids.

Double-Check Key Details: Review important settings like campaign dates, ticket types, and auction items to ensure accuracy. It’s also helpful to test the donor experience by going through the checkout process to catch any issues early.

Activate Notifications: Enable automatic thank-you messages for donors and reminders for upcoming deadlines (like auction closing times). This will keep supporters engaged and informed throughout the campaign.

Working through each item on the checklist, with the added guidance from the Givergy community help guides, ensures you’re set up for success.

Step 5: Launch and Promote Your Campaign

Now that your campaign is ready, it’s time to spread the word! Share your campaign page link through various social channels to maximize reach. Use social media to post regular updates, announce new auction items, or celebrate milestones as you reach them. Email newsletters can also be highly effective, especially for reaching past donors or existing supporters. In short, staying active in engaging with your supporters throughout the campaign is vital.

If it seems daunting staying in touch with so many potential supporters, do not worry, another perk of using an online platform is automated messaging which can be turned on from your campaign dashboard! Meaning donors never miss a beat.

Step 6: Report and Learn

The final part of your campaign is all about tracking results and analysing your outcomes to gain valuable insights for the future. Proper reporting allows you to understand what worked well, where there’s room for improvement, and how you can build on your successes for future campaigns. Again, this is all made easier with an online platform supporting your campaign and gathering data in real time.

With these steps, you’re well-equipped to create a memorable, impactful fundraising campaign. Whether it’s a gala, golf tournament, or a timely seasonal appeal, an online campaign can expand your reach and make a lasting difference for your cause. Want to get started on your next campaign? Get in touch today!

Jordan Morris

Givergy

Jordan joined Givergy after studying Politics with International Relations at the University of York. He has over two years experience within the charity sector working as a face-to-face fundraiser and as a constituency campaigner. After experiencing the sector from within and knowing first-hand the impact digital solutions can make to fundraising strategies, Jordan is now dedicated to innovating the way charities fundraise to ensure they maximise returns from every fundraising campaign.